572 



GR AMINES 



truncate and torn at the top. — In ditches and by the margins of 

 ponds ; rather scarce, though distributed over the whole island. 

 One of the sweetest of grasses, water-fowl and cattle being fond 

 of it; but unsuitable for cultivation from the character of its 

 habitat. (Name from the Greek katabrosis, an eating out, 

 alluding to the torn ends of the glumes.) — Fl. May, June. 

 Perennial. 



m£ltca nutans {Wood Melic-grass). 



34. Melica (Melic). — Panicle slender; spikelets rather large 

 and few, ovate, awnless, 1 — 2-flowered ; glumes nearly equal ; 

 rachilla produced and terminated by a club-shaped rudimentary 

 flower of empty glumes ; fruit loosely wrapped in the flowering 

 glume. (Name said to be from the Latin mel, honey, on account 

 of the sweetness of the stem.) 



1. M . montdna (Mountain Melic). — A slender, erect plant, 1 — 2 

 feet high, with delicate, flat, sparsely hairy leaves ; -panicle 2 — 3 

 in long, nearly a simple raceme, i-sided, with slender, short, 



